Housing

HB 4730 requires West Virginia's Department of Human Services to create a coordinated system of support for youth aging out of foster care or preparing to exit foster care, directly affecting these young adults statewide. The bill mandates a three-phase housing model (on-site living, scattered-site arrangements, and supportive independent living) plus services to build daily living, social-emotional, and education/career skills. It establishes specific funding rules including per diem rates for providers, annual cost-of-living adjustments, and direct monthly stipends to youth for housing costs, while maximizing federal Title IV-E funding. The department must implement annual data collection and reporting to the legislature on outcomes like housing stability and employment, starting in 2027.

HB 4537 requires West Virginia municipalities and public service districts to determine the cost of extending water or sewer service to new customers and apply for state infrastructure grants to cover these costs. If grants are approved, the municipality must extend service after customers pay required fees, and grant funds must reimburse customers for upfront costs like application fees and service extension contributions. This directly affects potential customers seeking new service connections and municipalities managing utility infrastructure. The bill streamlines access to state funding to reduce customer financial barriers for service extensions.

HB 5197 shortens the time homeowners have to challenge a tax deed from two years to one year if they weren't properly notified of the sale. It requires anyone suing to set aside a tax deed to deposit full redemption funds with the court clerk before proceeding. The bill also strengthens the requirement that property purchasers must prove they made "reasonably diligent" efforts to notify potential owners before selling property at tax sale. These changes directly affect property owners who missed tax sale notices and tax deed purchasers seeking to secure title.